Steigenberger Conti Hansa

Kiel Zoological Museum

Find a cheap family holiday to Schleswig-Holstein, and be sure to visit Kiel. Find child-friendly hotels at Risskov and decide how far south you want to go. One of the 'little' gems the city hides is the Kiel Zoological Museum. It is one of Germany's oldest natural history museums and houses unique collections of high scientific and cultural value. In fact, it dates back to the 1600s, but it was during the 1800s that it really developed into one of the most important zoological research institutes in Germany. Go on a car holiday in Germany and start with Schleswig-Holstein, which lends itself glitteringly to an adventure-filled self-drive holiday and set course for Kiel.

St. Nicholas Church Kiel

The beautiful Evangelical St. Nikolai Church stands on the Alter Markt in Kiel and is the city's main church and oldest surviving building. The church is particularly famous for its stunningly beautiful interior with its ornate winged altar and huge main organ.

On 22 May 1944 the church was heavily damaged in an Allied air raid. In 1950, the damaged parts of the church were rebuilt with more modern forms, structures and materials, as witnessed by the concrete columns and cement ceiling. In 1986 further renovations were carried out to the interior of the church.

Christmas market in Kiel

20th November to 22nd December 2025

Thu - Sat: 11:00 – 21:00 

Sun - Wed: 11:00 – 20:00 - Please note that dates and opening hours may vary. You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information.

Kiel's annual Christmas markets are inspired by the city's surroundings and history as a maritime coastal town, and are extremely popular with Danish Christmas tourists. The short distance and the city's immense charm and beauty make Kiel an obvious choice for a convenient self-drive holiday with a mini break or a weekend break during Christmas. The city hosts four different Christmas markets, which light up the squares and streets with lots of stalls, music, fun and delicious Christmas treats.

A Christmas tree forest of 3,000m² with some 500 trees is erected on the large town hall square, which, together with the many colourful huts, creates a fairytale Christmas village. Here you will find crafts, delicacies, mulled wine and food huts and much more. Taste this year's exclusive mulled wine, created by the Anselmann winery from the Palatinate wine region in collaboration with the organisers. This mulled wine is based on one exquisite grape variety and can't be found anywhere else - not even at the other markets in town!

At Holstensplatz, the many stalls create an intimate atmosphere where you can buy woollen clothes, amber jewellery and local culinary delights. This Christmas market has existed since 1973 and in 2018 presented a completely new design with new stalls and a new and creative lighting concept.

You can also visit the Altenmarkt Christmas Market in the Old Town around St. Nikolai Church, which has its own Alpine-inspired Christmas atmosphere and traditional punch and food stalls.

Between the markets on the Town Hall Square and Holstenplatz, you'll find the beautiful market on Asmus-Bremer-Platz. Here, the 12.5-metre high, 4-storey Christmas pyramid adorns the square. The inspiration comes from the Erzgebirge and together with the sweet angels, the baby Jesus and the holy three kings, it helps to set the atmosphere of the cosy square.

From mid-November, the annual Kiel Ice Festival is also held, where ice skating and fun can be had in style.

Risskov has a large selection of hotels and accommodation in Kiel and the surrounding area, so you can find just what suits you. Go on a cheap car holiday in Northern Germany this Christmas and experience Kiel's many magical Christmas markets.

Kiel

Kiel has plenty to offer all year round. In summer, the city and harbour are really lively and there are great opportunities for swimming. In winter, the city hosts one of northern Germany's most popular Christmas markets, transforming the town square into a fairytale Christmas village. And at other times of the year, it's a great place for sightseeing, with everything from the 2. World War II history to the beautiful botanical gardens. Located on the Kielerfjord, Germany's largest ferry port is in Kiel, where maritime atmosphere and city life combine beautifully. Kiel is also one of the most popular shopping cities on the Baltic Sea with plenty of exciting boutiques. Take a stroll through the Old Town, where you can see St Nicholas' Church on Alter Markt with Ernst Barlach's figure of the Geistkämpfer. It's also worth visiting the Maritime Museum, housed in an old fish hall, and seeing the historic ships in the Museum Harbour.

War Cemetery Kiel

Kiel War Cemetery is located as part of Kiel's largest cemetery, the 16-hectare beautiful Nordfriedhof dating from 1878, located northwest of Kiel Altstadt. The war cemetery was added in 1952 in accordance with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) building regulations. The graves include many different soldiers of various ranks and the memorial plaques of high-ranking naval officers underline the importance of Kiel as a naval base.

Botanical Garden Kiel

Kiel in northern Germany is certainly not a city to be underestimated, packed with history, an exciting harbour and perfect for a self-drive holiday in northern Germany. Take a family holiday to the area and find a cheap, child-friendly hotel with Risskov. Kiel's large beautiful botanical garden surrounds Christian Albrecht University. The garden has seven greenhouses, with all kinds of exciting and exotic plants, divided into climatic themes. At certain times of the year, you may also be lucky enough to see butterflies. Find cheap mini breaks and child-friendly hotels in the area at Risskov and enjoy a family holiday together in the exciting northern German city of Kiel.

Laboe Naval Memorial

Go on a car holiday in Germany and find a cheap hotel for the whole family with Risskov. There are plenty of opportunities for an active holiday too, with great walks. So take a self-drive holiday south and visit the Laboe Naval Memorial near

Kiel

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Schleswig-Holstein

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Germany

. It is a 72-metre high monument, originally built to commemorate the fallen of the Imperial Navy during World War I. The construction of the huge memorial was built between 1927 and 1936. In 1954, the dedication was changed to include all naval and naval personnel of all nationalities who fell during the World Wars. Find a cheap self-drive holiday with Risskov and set off on a journey of discovery in Schleswig-Holstein.

Submarine U 995

U-Boot U 995 is the only German submarine, from 2. World War, you still have the opportunity to get inside and see. Here you will get a unique insight into the life of the crew on board. The U-boat, which was active during WW2. It was turned into a museum in 1972 and has since welcomed more than 12.5 million visitors. Stop by and discover the history, and also see the Laboe Naval Memorial, located a short distance from the submarine.

Bordesholm

Go on a cheap summer holiday south to Bordesholm, located in Schleswig-Holstein between Kiel and Neumünster. The surroundings of the town are characterised by forest, water and green meadows. The town lies on Lake Bordesholm, around which there is an excellent 6 km walking trail where you can relax along the way with a cup of coffee or a mug of beer.

The main symbol of Bordesholm's coat of arms is a large lime tree. This lime tree is 675 years old, 7 metres in diameter and stands in front of the monastery church in town, which is certainly worth a visit. The church has a beautiful altarpiece, a fine crucifix and a beautiful pulpit.

Bordesholm is also an ideal cycling area. There is very little traffic noise and space to enjoy the countryside. It is recommended to visit the town's tourist information office, where you can get a map of the area. In many places in the countryside you will come across cosy farm shops selling local produce. Find a cheap weekend break for the whole family and enjoy a family holiday with child-friendly hotels and plenty of experiences.

Schoenberg

Schönberg is best known for its two cosy beach districts, California and Brazil. Besides the lovely California Beach, which offers everything from water sports and swimming to mini golf, you will also find an exciting museum in Schönberg; the "Kindheitsmuseum", which is a different kind of toy museum. Through documents, toys, teddy bears and dolls, among other things, you will get an insight into childhood as it was over 100 years ago. It is fun for both children and adults to see.

Go on a pleasant evening excursion to Kiel lighthouse by ship. The tour starts from the 250 metre long pier, "Schönberger Seebrücke". On the pleasant trip, which takes about 2 hours, you are offered delicious dinner from the grill. The evening excursion from Schönberger Seebrücke to Kiel Lighthouse is possible in the summer months (July and September). The tours usually take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Check the time from home.

Seawater wave pool Eckernförde

If you like spa, wellness and pampering, a wellness holiday to Eckernförde in Northern Germany might be for you. Eckernförde is today mostly based on spa and wellness tourism and here you will find Meerwasser-Wellenbad Eckernförde which definitely deserves a visit - whether with or without the family. Meerwasser-Wellenbad offers a veritable hodgepodge of wellness experiences with Turkish and Finnish saunas, a snow room as well as a salt cave and various kinds of massages and of course plenty of water, both chlorine and salt water pools, as well as activities for the kids. A visit to the on-site bistro is also not to be denied, should hunger get the better of you. It serves both snacks and hot dishes, as well as drinks. Meerwasser-Wellenbad Eckernförde is therefore an ideal destination for a cheap car holiday in Germany.

Eckernförde

Book a cheap self-drive holiday to Eckernförde and take the whole family on holiday. The town has quite a history to offer; The plague ravaged in the 1600s, killing almost all the inhabitants, and the town was sacked during the Thirty Years' War and again during the Napoleonic Wars and has since been a battleground between Denmark and Prussia in the late Three Years' War, also known as the Schleswig War from 1848 to 1850, when Denmark lost its liner Christian VIII as well as the frigate Gefion when they strayed into Eckernförde Bay and were almost decimated by the Prussian coastal battery. The frigate Gefion was later restored and joined the German Federal Fleet under the name Eckernförde.

Go on a cheap mini break or weekend break in Eckernförde and discover the old town hall from the 16th century, which was in use until 1984 and today serves as a town museum. It tells the fascinating story of the town's development from 1200 to the present day in the form of alternating and informative exhibitions. Continue your walk through the town and head north over the wooden bridge towards Borby Church, a beautiful Romanesque church built of ashlar stone in the 1110s and therefore one of the oldest in Southern Schleswig. Not far from the church, down towards the water, is the Ostsee Info-Center, which has various exhibitions about the Baltic Sea and the components of this beautiful sea. Learn more about the animal and plant life and get up close to the Baltic Sea's wondrous geological history, certainly an experience the whole family will appreciate.

Plön

When you arrive in Plön, the first thing you see is the beautiful castle: grand and snow-white, the beautiful building towers over the town. The Renaissance castle was built back in the 17th century and was the seat of the Dukes of Plön until 1761. In the 1800s, the castle was also the summer residence of Crown Prince Frederik, later Frederik VIII.

Gammelby

All year round there are many opportunities for activities in and around Gammelby. Take a nice walk by the lake Windebyer Noor. The lake was once directly connected to the Baltic Sea, but during the ice age the outlet was partially blocked. In 1929, the town of Eckernförde finally built a dam that closed the connection to the sea, but today there are plans to open up the flow at the town. Moss rocks and fossils have also been found in the lake, which can now be seen at the Gottorp Castle Museum in Schleswig.

Lütjenburg

Go on a self-drive holiday in Northern Germany. More specifically, in the north-eastern part of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Find cheap hotels in the area at Risskov and visit the small town of Lütjenburg with around 5,300 inhabitants. It is an old town, built in the 12th century.

The small town has a beautiful historic market square as well as a very nice baroque town hall, which together with St. Michael's Church, are the two places that should be visited. The main tourist attraction in Lütjenburg, however, is probably the Bismarck Tower, which was built in 1898 and extends well above the average rooftops of the picturesque town. From here there is a beautiful view of the eastern Holstein hills as well as the Baltic Sea and in fact it is possible to see all the way to Denmark from the top of the tower.

Lütjenburg is a living museum where a lot of "medieval" events and exciting activities are held. A unique chance to learn more about the old castle and not least the times and dark centuries when the Middle Ages were at their height. Don't miss out on this unique experience where both children and adults are guaranteed some great hours spent together with unique historical experiences. Find child-friendly hotels for the trip and enjoy an affordable self-drive holiday at your own pace with Risskov.